Pages

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Just One

Just one person remembered, in one village, in one country, on one side of a conflict that happened a century ago. When I was younger there was still a man with the unusual and unforgettable name of Greygoose in the village, probably the son or nephew of Joseph. Doug Greygoose had aged into a contended, humorous and much-loved old character. Joseph was robbed of that opportunity.Take care.

A beautiful tribute and remembrance. Part of me believes that we live on long after death, as long as someone remembers and mentions our name. I will see my grandchildren today (ages 3, 9mos, and 6 mos), imagine if I say the name Greygoose to them. One of them may say it 90 years from now!

War is the scar of our society. At least you are kind enough to bring his memory to us through your post. All the soldiers who have died during the many wars that have occurred over time are unfortunately gone but yet still -- many are still remembered. I feel as robin andrea quotes in the above comment that we live on after death through memories. -- barbara

Very fine. As I said in a comment on a different post today, the memorials that affect me most are those that remember individual soldiers, by name, more than general memorials. Real people served and died for their countries.

The thought of all these young lives cut short is unbearably sad. I hope it never happens again - and it probably never would if us ordinary people had our way. Like Jack (above) I find the individual stories the saddest.

My father was wounded at Cambrai in October, 1918. I thought today (among many other bits of remembrance) of the loss of my husband's two brothers, and how much he missed that relationship in later years (to say nothing of their dear lives cut short....)

When our sons became young men, that's when the reality of the lost sons hit me. To imagine them going off to war was just too hard to even contemplate. And yet that's what so many families faced. So much sorrow, so much pain.

I think one of the best commemorations of this centenary has been Radio 4's drama series "Tommies" - 6 episodes still available on iplayer. Listen and weep.By the way, I've met a Wildgust in Yorkshire, apparently a surname related to Wildgoose. I wonder how many goosey surnames there are?

Translate

The Weather Now...

Followers

About Me

I'm John. Too old to learn many new tricks but too young to forget the old ones just yet. I used to work in a school for young people with physical and learning disabilities - which was a lot more fun than it sounds. I retired early to take care of my mother.

Polite Notice

The pictures and writing contained in this blog are the property of the author. Readers and followers of "By Stargoose And Hanglands" are welcome to copy items for their own personal use. Requests to publish photographs or written material should be made to the e-mail address below...